Irrigating-sprinkler.



W. A. BUCKNER.

IRRIGATING SPRINKLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-15,1915.

Patented July 3, 1917.

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2 HEETS-SHEET I.

W. A. BUCKNER.

IRRIGATING SPRINKLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1915.

Patented July 3, 1917..

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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IRRIGATING-SPRINKLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 1917.

Application filed September 15, 1915 Serial No. 50,839.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. BUCKNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at .l resno, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trrigating-Sprinklers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvement in irrigating sprinklers for use in parks, upon lawns and for other purposes where it is desirable or necessary to distribute water, and it relates more particularly to sprinklers of the type embodying arotatable head carrying water distributing pipes or nozzles, reaction of water discharged from the head causing the rotation thereof.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler of improved construction whereby the head may be adjusted to rotate at any desired speed or at the most effective speed, irrespective of the pressure of the water supplied thereto, the sprinkler will operate equally well whetherit is set with the axis of the head vertical, horizontal or at any inclination, and the sprinkler head will rotate with certainty and at uniform speed, even when the sprinkler is supplied with water at a relatively low pressure.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sprinkler headwith means for causing an oscillating movement or rotation thereof alternately in reverse directions, and to provide a second sprinkling head mounted to rotate at an angle to the plane of rotation of the other sprinkling head.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further consists in a certain novel construction, combination and 'arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sprinkler supported in operative position upon an adjustable stand;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the sprinkling head taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

i Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the sprinkling head. constructed in accordance with the invention and in an adjusted position;

Fig.4; is a side elevation of an irrigating sprinkler contemplated by the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 1 with parts shown in dotted lines to clearly illustrate the detail construction and arrangement of the same;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an end or front elevation of the invention, as shown in Fig. 4.

Like characters denote similar and like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3, a rotatable sprinkler head A is mounted on and supported in operative position by the stand or support B, which permits an adjustment of the head A to various angles out of the perpendicular, by means of an adjustable clamping member C, The stand B may-be of any desired or suitable construction that will adjustably support or secure the sprinkler head A in operative position. 7

As here shown the clamping member or collar C comprises two complemental sec tions 1 and 2 pivotally secured to the supporting legs of the stand B and adapted to embrace the'lower end of the spindle 3 upon which the sprinkling head A rotates. The sprinkling headA may be of any preferred construction or design but, in the present instance, it is shown as consisting of a substantially cylindrical water chamber or head at having the spraying nozzles 5 radially extending therefrom adjacent the upper end thereof. The ends of the head A are closed with the exception of the central and opposed openings 6 and 7 through which the spindle 3 extends. The spindle 3, preferably, consists of a tubular member having its lower end 3 enlarged to provide a shoulder, as at 8, against which the head 1 is pressed and normally rests. The surface of the shoulder 8 is curved or tapering for purposes which will presently appear. A reduced threaded bolt-like extension or shank 9 projects from the body or intermediate portion 3" of the spindle and is of a size or diameter less than that of the body portion 3 of the spindle; the opening 7 in the head 1 is of such a size as to permit the body or intermediate portion 8 of the spindle toto the hydrostatic pressure of the water within the head,;as compared with the area of the lower wall of the head. Inconsequence, the water pressure within the head will act to lift or elevate the head with respect to the spindle, the amount of this lifting or elevating force varying in accordance with variations in the pressure of the water supplied to the sprinkler.

. The openings 6 and 7 in the ends of the head are provided at their outer ends with externally threaded flanges 6 and 7 to receive the gland collars 10 and 11, respectively, which provide water-tight joints between the upper and lower ends of the rotating sprinkler head ft and the spindle 3. Surrounding the bolt-like extension or shank 9 is a helical compression spring 12 having one end bearing upon the upper gland collar 10 on the sprinkler head and the other end bearing against a nut 13 threaded for adjustment on the extremity of the shank 9. The spindle-3, as before stated, is preferably a hollow, tubular member, and has its lower end threaded so as to be connected with a supply pipe ll, which is connected with any suitable source of water supply, the body portion of. the spindle 3 being provided with the'lateral discharge ports 15 through which water enters the sprinkler head 4 from the water supply.

it will thus be understood that as the water flows from the spindle 3 into the sprinkler head at the pressure of the water therein, as previously explained, will-tend to move the sprinkler head longitudinally of the spindle 3 and outwardly from the shoulder 8 upon which the sprinkler head is normally seated. At the same time,water will flow from the outer ends of the nozzles 5 thereby causing the rotation of the sprinkler head upon the spindle 3, and which nozzles are so constructed as to radiallyextend from the sprinkler head and have their outer ends extended upwardly and slightly inclined fronrthe vertical, for a purpose which will later appear. in the event that the sprinkler head adjusted from a vertical position, as shown in Figs. I and 2, to an inclined position such, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, the same rotating or sprinkling operation of the sprinkl'er'head' is obtained by virtue of the reduction to a minimum of friction,

resisting rotation of the head, by the dis placement of the head, which displacement d-isenga-ges the head from the bottom seat 8, and the yielding and thrust equalizing action of the spring 12. When water is supplied through the spindle 3 to the sprinkler head at, the pressure of the water, in the latter being, substantially the same as in the supply pipe, acts upon the head to move the same axially fronrthe seat or shoulder 8 and in opposition to the action of the spring 12. Simultaneously with this hydraulic displacement of the sprinkler head, water flows through discharge openings 5 in the ends of the sprinkling nozzles 5, the reaction of this dischargefrom the nozzles causing rotation of the sprinkler head upon the spindle 3. It will thus be seen that sincethe gland col l'ar 11 is moved from engagement with the seat or shoulder S, the head a is free of any frictional resistance, which may be offered by its engagement with the. shoulder 8; and, because of the yielding pressure exerted upon the upper end of the head i by the spring 12, the head will rise until the water pressure and the spring pressure are equalized and all possible fri'ction'i's evenly distributed to all bearing portions of the sprinkler head i upon the spindle 3, thereby permitting the free and uninterrupted rotation of the sprinkler head upon the spindle 3, irrespective of the angle or position in which the sprinkler may be adjusted or placed. By providing a spring to yieldingly sustain the upper or outward thrust of the head caused by the hydraulic pressure within the head, the friction between the lower end of this spring andth'e part of the sprinkler head which it engages is of a minimum amount, for the reason that tie lateral and axial -yi'eild of the spring allows it to accommodate itself to the character of the surface of the'head which the sp'ring'engages, although such surface may be out of true, and so the lateral yield of the spring will avoid any lateralbinding or cooking of the sprinkler head on the spindle and thus reduce or avoid friction from such source. In fact, when the sp'rinl'r'li'er head is in operation, particularly when supplied with water at a relatively low pressure, the rotatable head 'may'be properly described as floating, in

the sense that it is displaced axially on the spindle to disengage it from the bottom seat, andall lateral thrust is eliminated or re duced' to a minimum. This construction enables the sprinkler head to rotate when the spindle 3 is horizontal, inclined atany angle, or when the sprinkler head may be placed inan inverted or upside-down position.

By adjusting the nut '13 along the threaded shank 9,.the strengthof the spring 12 may be. varied so as'to regulate :the speed of rotation 'of 'the sprinkler head and particularly to regulate the speed of rotation of the head to compensate for different water pressures with which the sprinkler may be used. The spring 12 normally tends to seat the sprinkler head upon the'shoulder 8 and by increasing the strength of the spring, the head may be held in engagement with the seat on the spindle with sufficient pressure to produce the necessary amount of friction to retard the speed of rotation of the head when relatively high Water pressure is used; or bydecreasing the strength of the spring, the axial displacement of the head with respect to the shoulder 8 may take place to a more or less extent, thereby enabling the head to rotate at the desired speed when lower water pressures are used, the head being wholly disengaged from the seat when minimum water pressures are used.

In Figs. 4 to 8 an irrigating sprinkler is illustrated which is constructed from a plurality of sprinkler heads, such as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and which is within the scope of the present invention. For a matter of clearness, similar and like parts of the sprinkler shown in Figs. a to 8 will receive the same numeraling as like parts otthe sprinkler shown in Figs. 1 and 3 with the exception that the same numerals will be primed by the exponents and as a matter of distinction.

The irrigating sprinkler disclosed in this embodiment consists of a lower main sprine kling head 1 rotatably mounted onthe spindle 3 which is adjustably supported on the stand B through the medium of the pivotal collar C. The sprinkling head 4: is of substantially the same construction as the sprinkling head 4: shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 ant has radially extending therefrom the spraying nozzles 5 constructed to discharge thewater at substantially a tangent to the axis of rotation of the head 49. Supported from the sprinkling head 4* and having water communication therewith is a sprinkler head a rotatably mounted upon the spindle 3 arranged to extend at right angles to the spindle 3 of the sprinkler head 4?.

In the present instance, the pipe connec tion 16 is shown as one form of supporting the sprinkler head 4 from and connecting the same to thesprinkler head 41", however, any preferred means of connection or support may be provided. The angular pipe connection 16 laterally extending from the sprinkler head 1 is threaded into the enlarged end 3 of the spindle 3 and is designed to support the latter and the sprinkler head 1 in position, as will be clearly seen from Figs. 4: and 5. The spindle 3 and sprinkler head 41 are of substantially the same construction as the spindle and sprinkler head disclosed inFigs. 1, 2 and 3, the sprinkler head 4 having radially extending therefrom the spraying nozzles 5 with their extremities arranged to extend upwardly and inclined, whereby the rotating sprinkling operation of the head is effected. lit will thus be seen from the above that when water is supplied through the spindle 3 to the sprinkling head P the latter will be rotated by the issuance of water through the irrigating spraying nozzles 5 and the sprinkling head 4: will be rotated by the issuance of the water from the spraying nozzles 5 thereof, the rotation of the spraying head l being at right angles to the plane of rotation ofthe spraying head 41?. It is to be understood that the rotation of the spraying head 1 is facilitated and regulated by the axial displacement of the latter on the spindle 9 as controlled by the yielding resistance of the spring 12", as has been explained in connection with the embodiment shown and described in Figs. 1, 2 and The irrigating sprinkler illustrated in Figs. 4: to 8, inclusive, provides a sprinkler of great irrigating capacity which will 7 be found useful in connection with the irrigation of parks, orchards, truck gardens, or the like, and which is but a further develop ment of the principle of the invention. above set forth in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. It is also to be understood that the sprinkler head 4* may be adjusted to various angles out of a vertical plane, by proper manipulation of the clamping collar C, as may be desired or occasion require.

The present invention also provides means for oscillating one of the sprinkling heads of the sprinkler and in the present instance, the oscillating means is shown applied to the sprinkler headv l In this instance, the nozzles 5 are then adjusted so as not to exert a rotating influence over the head 4P but serving to increase the area covered by the sprinkler.

The means shown in the present instance for effecting the oscillating or alternate rotation of the sprinkler head comprises a discharge nozzle 17 which extends from the sprinkler head 4 and has the divergent discharge nozzles 17 and 17*, respectively. A three-way valve 18 is operatirely disposed in the nozzle 17 and controls the discharge of water from the sprinkler head through said double discharge nozzles 17 and 17 whereby when water issues from one of these nozzles the sprinkler head 4: is rotated in one direction, and, upon the issuance of water from the other of these nozzles the head is rotated in the opposite direction. The valve 18 is provided with a trip finger 19 which is engaged by a suitable trip means at a predetermined point of the rotation of the head d to operate said valve to alternately cut off the flow of water from one of said nozzles l7 'or 17 and permitting the discharge from the other of said nozzles, thereby reversing the direction of rotation of the chamber 4 In the embodiment here shown, the tripgmeans consists of a pair of trip arms 20 suitably secured to the collar C and arranged in spaced relation at predetermined points of rotation of the head 49 so that the trip arm 19- will engage there with and the valve 18 be alternately operated for directing the issuance of the water kler which is capable of operating efficiently,

irrespective of the angle ofthe axis at which the sprinkler head is set to rotate, and also irrespective of the pressure of the water supplied to the sprinkler. By providing a sprinkler which will operate efficiently when the axis of rotation of the sprinkler head is set horizontally or at an inclination, as well as vertically, the area over which water is distributed by the sprinkler is greatly increased and the sprinkler may be applied to many uses to which the ordinary sprinkler, revoluble on a vertical axis only, cannot be-applied. For example, the sprinkler may be attached to an ordinary hoseand held in the hand, the major portion of the water being then projected in a forward or generally axial direction from the sprinkler head, and the water may then be-thrown to reach any spot or area desired. Also, the sprinkler will operate successfully to irri gate hillsides or other areas which slope to a considerable degree. Furthermore, by operating the sprinkler with the axis of the head horizontal, or substantially so, the water projected in a generally forward or axial direction will be distributed over a substantially rectangular area, this arrangement being particularly advantageous in the sprinkling of lawns or other vrectangular plats of limited area.

A very advantageous feature of the invention is obtained, however, by providing axial displacement for the sprinkler head and a spring which is adjustable and which yieldingly sustains such axial displacement. This combination and arrangement of parts enables the speed of rotation of the head to be adjusted to meet the differences in the pressure of water supplied to the sprinkler, and it furthermore reduces the frictional resistance; to the rotation ofthe head to arminimum. In different cities and localities, the pressure of water in the service pipesvaries to a considerable extent. An ordinary sprinkler constructed to operate at one pressure would not operate so efiiciently at other pressures. F or example, if the sprinkler were constructed to operate at a low water pressure, it would revolve at too high a speed to distribute the water efliciently, and if the sprinkler wereconstructed to operate at a relatively high water pressure, it would not turn at all at a low water pressure. If the sprinkler were constructed to operate at a medium .water pressure, it would turn too slowly at low pressure and too rapidly at high pressure, for eflicient distribution of the water.

According to the present invention, however, the sprinkler may be easilyand quickly adjusted to operate most efiiciently or at any speed desired, irrespective of the water pressure suppliedto the sprinkler, and, furthermore, by reducing friction to a minimum, the sprinkler head will revolve at the requisite speed, although the water pressure may be low or the head may be set to rotate on a horizontal or inclined axis.

It is to be understood that applicant does not confine himself to the exact and specific construction herein described and shown as certain changes of construction, combination and arrangement of elements may be resorted to that fall within the legitimate scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, if claim 1. A sprinkler comprising a spindle having a seat thereon, a sprinkler head rotatable on the spindle by the reaction of the discharge of water therefrom and also displaceable axially from-said seat by the pressure of water within the head, and a spring controlling such axial movement of the head relatively to said seat.

2. A sprinkler comprising a spindle having a seat thereon, a sprinkler head rotatable on the spindle and normally resting on said seat, the head being displaceable axially relatively to the seat-by the pressure of water within the head, and a yielding thrust-sustaining member controlling such axial displacement of the head.

3. A sprinkler comprising a spindle having bearing portions of different diameters and also" having a seat, a sprinkler head having its end walls fitted to rotate on the respective bearing portions of the spindle and one end wall of the head adapted to rest normally on said seat, the head being displaceable axially by the pressure of water within it, and yielding means on that portion of the spindle of relatively smaller diameter for sustaining such axial displacement of the sprinkler head.

sure of Water therein, a spring bearing on In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 1n presence of two subscribing W1t- 10 nesses.

' WILLIAM A. BUGKNER.

Witnesses:

' S. A. \VYSONG, V. J. IMHOFF.

said head to sustain the thrust due to the axial displacement of the head, and means for varying the strength of said spring.

fiopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. I 

